Dear Editor:
Few can dispute the fact that outside political spending is designed to influence the outcome of elections.
By outside spending, I mean
election expenditures such as the infamous Super PAC's and donations from special interest groups.
Unfortunately, the US Supreme Court recently opened that door very much wider.
These outsiders make these contributions in hope of being able to control the candidate's they fund.
Although the largest effect has been on the federal level, it seems to be creeping into our local elections.
Four Calaveras County candidates have received donations from the Los Angeles based California Real Estate Political Action Committee (CREPAC).
Michael Oliveira received $1000 to help him in his effort to become a supervisor. I seriously question whether this is something that the people of our county want to see influencing the outcome of our elections.
Nationally, a "People's Pledge" is being proposed as a tool to drastically place limits on this kind of outside spending.
Here's how it works: Candidates agree that if an outside group "purchases" an ad, the candidate that it is designed to help will donated 50% of the ad's cost to a charity of the opposing candidate's choice.
The obstacle to accomplishing this lofty goal is convincing candidates from major parties to agree to the conditions.
A People's Pledge may be a pipedream created out off voter frustration, but until it is enacted let's not let CREPAC buy our votes.
Please join me in voting for Merita Callaway on November 4. She is locally based and locally funded.
Mark Bonar,
Arnold
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